All posts tagged Pulp Fiction

That’s right, there’s an indefinite article in that title on purpose. The ‘best moments IN cinema’ is an abstract that can be debated by numerous people and (usually) refers to the ‘best’ moments shown on camera during a film’. eg – the final scene of James Cagney’s White Heat, “Made it ma, I’m on top of the world!”, is generally regarded as one of the best moments in cinema. But, IN A cinema…..?

What we’d like to do is find out what are the moments while watching a film in a cinema that have taken your breath away. And we don’t mean while you were there with someone else in the cinema (you know what we mean), we’re talking about what you saw up on the screen blowing you away in some manner. I’ll give you an example of one of my most vivid memories in a cinema:

In the early 90s Quentin Tarantino was a God to those who loved movies. By the time he had Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction under his belt he could do no wrong. He was the Pope and you had to follow him, no matter what. So when From Dusk Till Dawn came out in ’96, and even though he didn’t direct it, you didn’t ask questions, you didn’t read reviews, you just bought your ticket, took your seat and listened to the Word.

I think that’s how I entirely missed that this was, in fact, a vampire movie. And I mean, not even an inkling, not even while watching the first half (and I seem to remember lots of people in the cinema at the time feeling the same way – mass cult delusion?) Needless to say, when the film switches, just after the Salma Hayek snake dance shown below (one of the best moments IN cinema – *ahem*), my jaw dropped and stayed dropped until I walked out of the cinema, eyes blinking in the lights, slightly bewildered but glad that so many other people had the exact same experience as I did. The way information technology is right now it’s probably an experience I will never have again. I LOVED IT.

So, that was one of mine. What’s yours……?

P.S. Did I need to put a ‘spoiler alert’ on this post? I’d hate to think I’ve deprived somebody else of the same experience…..

From time to time we’ll publish a post from one of our followers – as long as it’s well written, related to film and captures our imagination. Below is a new take on the ‘Best Of’ lists from our good friend JASON TANDY. If you want to be considered for a guest slot on our blog send in your article (max about 700 words) along with any links, videos and/or images needed to editor@showfilmfirst.com and we’ll look through them, publish the best ones and publicise your blog (if you have one).

It’s not a coincidence that rather than that explosion, that stunt or that love scene from that great movie, it’s more likely to be the best on screen exchanges that seep into the public consciousness to become legendary – maybe even part of the lexicon. “A Royalle with cheese” makes you smile (and if you’re here you should know why) but only because of the context that line is taken from.

We’re not even talking about the catchphrases like “show me the money” or “you talking to me?”, we’re talking about the back and forth between great actors that brilliantly reveals character, cleverly tells the story in a few smart words or crack us up with its wit .

Sometimes it’s these exchanges that make a movie, not the throw away one-liners, and more than the director, the actors or the producers it’s the writers we have to thank for these moments of greatness – without them nobody remotely connected to film and the wider industry would even have a job! Literally.

While you ponder these unbelievably unsung heroes of the industry (of which I am one – struggling) I’ll remind you just how strong their Kung-Fu is with a list of some of the greatest exchanges in movie history. And, while the list is in no particular order, my all time favourite is the Clint Eastwood entry. Just Saying.

1. Pulp Fiction, writer, Quentin Tarantino – “Say What Again”. Still QT’s best film exactly because of moments like this. The first time around it was only after a few minutes it dawned on me that Jules (Sam Jackson) is actually just toying with the soon to be dead Brett, in the same way a cat toys with a mouse before the final coup de grace. “They speak English in What?” Classic.

2. Anchorman, writers, Will Ferrell, Adam Mckay – “Time To Musk Up”. Will Ferrell’s best film with so many choice cuts to choose from. The absurdity of this exchange is delicious, as is the knowledge that something can be ‘made with bits of real Panther’. I dare you not to giggle like a fool.